MaLa v 1.74 Released

[loadman]

Download from the MaLa website: http://www.malafe.net

Thank you to all the beta testers and the MaLa great user base who answer forum support questions  
Cheers!

v1.74 (Mar 2011)

 Improvements
• Video Engine Updated
• Video Type Options increased for startup video and screensaver
• Better logic applied to 'Next Letter' scrolling in regards to grouping games starting with non Letters
• Added Hibernate Exit option
• Improved suspend / hibernate reactions
• Added more logging loading ShowInfo window
• Error dialogue pops up if starting Video not found (Rather than just sit on blank screen until key hit)
• Options- Moved Video Display controls onto the same window as the other Display delay controls
• Menu - Exit key now bails out of the menu (no matter what level you are on)

Bugfixes
• Fixed Definable 5 for info window.
• Fixed Snap Display if tree enabled on menu window
• Mixed Mouse scroll on initial MaLa start
• MaLa Tree - Fixed Upward Movement control so the items did not drift from their parent.
• Fixed autorepeat on Letter Up/Down X Up/Down
• Stopped 'Show Metadata' being enabled on pop up window when Tree Menu selected.
• Add Game to list using right click 'PopUp' menu - Bug fixed when using Tree
• Removed check for empty game list on Tree Menu Items
• MaLaLayout - Added comment to Properties windows to make it clear Transparency uses bottom left pixel
• Changed order so if Video and Game are selected to start on MaLa start that Video Plays first
• Add Game to list using menu - Bug fixed when using Tree
• Ability to reduce volume via menu while music stops and fades enabled
• Improved handling of snap and video loading after orientation change.
• Better handling of bad pics... No more crashing.
• Ability to set Logging in Normal mode (instead of moving to DeBug after config window open)
• Changed Key repeat defaults and mode helpful comments on config window about usage
• Bug fixed with auto repeat while volume control visible

In Progress: Video Screensaver. First bit of work to fix watermark option after it was broken 2 years ago. Also removed .avi file check (not required anymore as the Video wrapper handles this)


Old Thread (1.73 etc..): http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=105370.msg1115481#msg1115481

[danivempire]

Great thank you!!!

How do I install this on my cab, I just overwrite the older mala files?

[loadman]

Great thank you!!!

How do I install this on my cab, I just overwrite the older mala files?

Yup But I would make a copy/backup of your existing mala folder first

[kako121]

Hello Loadman

Me not the volume of sound functions well.  I under the volume and he rises himself! 

Neither the sound in the screensaver functions me well with videosnaps.  The first one videosnap that shows has sound, the remainder of videosnaps are mute. 

Greetings and thanks by your work

[PaTrYcK]

Great work loadman!

Only the splash screen after hibernation not is beautiful, if not is possible choose own image is better:
"MALA restarting after hibernation or restarting"...
Is possible rename it?

[jasonbar]

jasonbar <3 loadman.

(numbering continued from my post near the end of http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=105370.0;all)

2: game list no longer jumps by 1 game when showing/hiding info window.

3: game list no longer jumps by 1 game when clicking left mouse button.

4: games that start with ' are now lumped with games that start with numbers.

5: posting my AHK script to the "loss of focus" thread in 5 minutes


Did I mention that jasonbar <3 loadman yet?


-Jason

[loadman]

Hello Loadman
Me not the volume of sound functions well.  I under the volume and he rises himself! 

Sorry What does that mean. Can you please give more details as to what you are trying to do (and what method) and what is going wrong. I know English is not you first language so perhaps a picture/screenshot might help?

Neither the sound in the screensaver functions me well with videosnaps.  The first one videosnap that shows has sound, the remainder of videosnaps are mute. 
Greetings and thanks by your work

hmmm needs more work it seems 

[loadman]

"MALA restarting after hibernation or restarting"...
Is possible rename it?

What would you have it say?

[PaTrYcK]

Sorry for my english  

When mala (1.74) restart after hibernation appear splash screen image
In  version 1.73 beta  when mala restart after hibernation appear :
"MALA restarting after hibernation or restarting"
Is possible use it instead of splash screen image?
And is possible rename it with only "MALA STARTING"
Or change the image splash screen in next version?
Thanks!!!

[kako121]

Hello Loadman
Me not the volume of sound functions well.  I under the volume and he rises himself! 

Sorry What does that mean. Can you please give more details as to what you are trying to do (and what method) and what is going wrong. I know English is not you first language so perhaps a picture/screenshot might help?

Neither the sound in the screensaver functions me well with videosnaps.  The first one videosnap that shows has sound, the remainder of videosnaps are mute. 
Greetings and thanks by your work

hmmm needs more work it seems 

I have overwritte the files with the new MaLa 1.74.
The volume of sound is very high (52), I have descended it to 10, I have returned to the Gamelist and the volume sound has been put again to 50 


Screensaver with videosnaps and sound:
MaLa 1.738 works fine in this, perhaps only failed Fade in - Fade out 

[loadman]

The volume of sound is very high (52), I have descended it to 10, I have returned to the Gamelist and the volume sound has been put again to 50  

What method did you use to decrease sound?
- Menu
- Keyboard shortcut
- Options window?

[kako121]

Menu

[jasonbar]

Loadman-

2 questions/comments on 1.74:

1: I was getting some loss of focus problems when quitting a game & returning to MaLa.  About 50% of the time.  Inconsistent.  I downloaded & installed malafocuslogger last  night & it's been OK so far, but I'll keep you posted if it goes funny again.

2: I use keyboard buttons to scroll up & down a letter in the game list, & I use the mouse (spinner) to scroll game-by-game in the game list.  Now, the buttons to scroll up & down a letter auto-repeat.  Often, they repeat so quickly that I accidentally scroll 2 letters when I want to scroll just one.  Is there a way to turn off this auto-repeat?


Thanks!
-Jason

[loadman]

2: I use keyboard buttons to scroll up & down a letter in the game list, & I use the mouse (spinner) to scroll game-by-game in the game list.  Now, the buttons to scroll up & down a letter auto-repeat.  Often, they repeat so quickly that I accidentally scroll 2 letters when I want to scroll just one.  Is there a way to turn off this auto-repeat?
Thanks!
-Jason

This has been reported and resolved before....

Try adjusting the polling and acceleration rates

[TopJimmyCooks]

Big Thank you to Loadman for being so active and responsive in developing this FE.  I'll be running the new version this weekend 

[jasonbar]

2: I use keyboard buttons to scroll up & down a letter in the game list, & I use the mouse (spinner) to scroll game-by-game in the game list.  Now, the buttons to scroll up & down a letter auto-repeat.  Often, they repeat so quickly that I accidentally scroll 2 letters when I want to scroll just one.  Is there a way to turn off this auto-repeat?
Thanks!
-Jason

This has been reported and resolved before....

Try adjusting the polling and acceleration rates

Thanks tons.

I'd already turned off the acceleration, but the polling rate was too low (quick).  I cranked it up to its max allowable value: 1000ms.

Thanks!
-Jason

[eds1275]

I have downloaded the new version - I think I was on 1.4 before. I have saved a backup thankfully, because I have been experiencing some issues.

If I copy all the files over and replace my existing mala , my layout does not work as planned. All my images are missing. When I go into the layout editor the background is white and won't let me change it. All my pictures are there and it appears to be set up correctly.

When I delete my old version of mala and use the new version in it's place I get the same problems - none of my gifs show up.

If I use a fresh 1.7, just unzipped and open the layout editor I still cannot change the background colour.

Also, when using images in the Definable [on both versions I have], the image "blinks" or disappears when I scroll through menu options.

[loadman]

oooo I will check the 'gifs'

[eds1275]

Oh and one more thing - what is the correct way to "update"? Do I copy over all the new mala files, or just the .exe?

Or do I copy all the files and let them overwrite the existing files?

[loadman]

Oh and one more thing - what is the correct way to "update"? Do I copy over all the new mala files, or just the .exe?

Or do I copy all the files and let them overwrite the existing files?

Just the new .exe's is all you need

[Gray_Area]

The volume is weird. It's defaulted lower than I have 1.73 set, but it sounds almost as loud, and like it's over-driven.

Also, did you notice my reply to this thread?

[loadman]

Yes there are about 7 things i need to test and possibly fix that have been reported

Please be patient as I have limited time  

I'm lucky if i get 3 hrs per week (that includes my time to look at forum posts) 

[loadman]

I have overwritte the files with the new MaLa 1.74.
The volume of sound is very high (52), I have descended it to 10, I have returned to the Gamelist and the volume sound has been put again to 50 

Ahhh

I worked out what this is.

The main volume is jumping up to what the video volume percentage is   

[garykagan]

Loadman, great work on Mala, I love it.  I will be upgrading soon as well to try it out.  Are there many new entries to the config file if I plan to just bring over my old one?  I don't want to lose my current settings.  I would guess that is the correct way to upgrade anyway (keep existing config).

thanks,

Gary

[loadman]

Loadman, great work on Mala, I love it.  I will be upgrading soon as well to try it out.  Are there many new entries to the config file if I plan to just bring over my old one?  I don't want to lose my current settings.  I would guess that is the correct way to upgrade anyway (keep existing config).

thanks,

Gary

Yup

But keep a copy of your existing Mala dir in case you are not happy

[jasonbar]

Hmmm...the game list moving up 1 game name upon MaLa start has returned.  Weird...

It's behaving when returning from playing a game, though.

Kooky.

-Jason

[loadman]

Hmmm...the game list moving up 1 game name upon MaLa start has returned.  Weird...

Only when mouse enabled?

[jasonbar]

Hmmm...the game list moving up 1 game name upon MaLa start has returned.  Weird...

Only when mouse enabled?

I always have mouse enabled, as I do my scrolling with a spinner.

I did some tests:

I booted about 6x with mouse enabled to scroll games and, in 4 out of 6 boots, the game list jumped up 1 name a few seconds after the layout appeared.

I booted 3x without mouse enabled to scroll games & no jump at MaLa start.


Thanks,
-Jason

[loadman]

Hmmm...the game list moving up 1 game name upon MaLa start has returned.  Weird...

Only when mouse enabled?

I always have mouse enabled, as I do my scrolling with a spinner.
I did some tests:
I booted about 6x with mouse enabled to scroll games and, in 4 out of 6 boots, the game list jumped up 1 name a few seconds after the layout appeared.
I booted 3x without mouse enabled to scroll games & no jump at MaLa start.

Thanks,
-Jason

Thanks for testing

[Gray_Area]

Hmmm...the game list moving up 1 game name upon MaLa start has returned.  Weird...

Only when mouse enabled?

I always have mouse enabled, as I do my scrolling with a spinner.

I did some tests:

I booted about 6x with mouse enabled to scroll games and, in 4 out of 6 boots, the game list jumped up 1 name a few seconds after the layout appeared.

I booted 3x without mouse enabled to scroll games & no jump at MaLa start.


Thanks,
-Jason

Well there you go. I wouldn't ever use mouse anyway, in anticipation of some kind of 'calibration' issue.

[loadman]

Hello Loadman
Me not the volume of sound functions well.  I under the volume and he rises himself!  

Sorry What does that mean. Can you please give more details as to what you are trying to do (and what method) and what is going wrong. I know English is not you first language so perhaps a picture/screenshot might help?

Neither the sound in the screensaver functions me well with videosnaps.  The first one videosnap that shows has sound, the remainder of videosnaps are mute.  
Greetings and thanks by your work

hmmm needs more work it seems  

I have overwritte the files with the new MaLa 1.74.
The volume of sound is very high (52), I have descended it to 10, I have returned to the Gamelist and the volume sound has been put again to 50  
Screensaver with videosnaps and sound:
MaLa 1.738 works fine in this, perhaps only failed Fade in - Fade out  

Hi,  I spent some time last night looking at this.

It does not appear to be a problem with my code. I spent a few hours trailing over it.

When I build it on my Main Development PC the volume issue is present. 

When I build it on my Backup Development Environment (My Laptop) the problem is gone. 

It 'smells' like a library mismatch. D'oh! 

I will figure it out eventually, a bit of pain.

[mike boss]

If I install this over my old build are all my settings lost ?

[loadman]

If I install this over my old build are all my settings lost ?

Not if you only copy the .exe files

I would make a backup of your existing MaLa directory to be safe.

I am thinking of putting the next release of MaLa in an installer if that helps?

[Gray_Area]

Don't installers write to the registry?

[loadman]

Don't installers write to the registry?

They can , if required. Sorry what was your point?

[loadman]

Don't installers write to the registry?

They can , if required. Sorry what was your point?

I was pondering using an installer so that the .exe's would just get put in the directory.

The slight risk with the current method is if a user starts a new version of mala (in a temp directory or something) it will create a fresh set of config files. If the user then happens to copy these config files to the mala directory it will over-rite the existing config files.. Does that make sense?

[garykagan]

I have installed the new version over my old after backing up.  Copied over my extisting ini file and it started right up.  I have one issue when I right click with an error looking for a music file in my c:\documents and settings..., but i click the ok button and the error goes away.  

I will try and resolve that to see what it is looking for.  I'll post the exact message later if I can't fix it.

I will keep testing the new Mala to see if anything comes up.

thanks,

Gary

[loadman]

Hello Loadman
Me not the volume of sound functions well.  I under the volume and he rises himself!  

Sorry What does that mean. Can you please give more details as to what you are trying to do (and what method) and what is going wrong. I know English is not you first language so perhaps a picture/screenshot might help?

Neither the sound in the screensaver functions me well with videosnaps.  The first one videosnap that shows has sound, the remainder of videosnaps are mute.  
Greetings and thanks by your work

hmmm needs more work it seems  

I have overwritte the files with the new MaLa 1.74.
The volume of sound is very high (52), I have descended it to 10, I have returned to the Gamelist and the volume sound has been put again to 50  
Screensaver with videosnaps and sound:
MaLa 1.738 works fine in this, perhaps only failed Fade in - Fade out  

Hi,  I spent some time last night looking at this.

It does not appear to be a problem with my code. I spent a few hours trailing over it.

When I build it on my Main Development PC the volume issue is present. 

When I build it on my Backup Development Environment (My Laptop) the problem is gone. 

It 'smells' like a library mismatch. D'oh! 

I will figure it out eventually, a bit of pain.

I should point out that the simple short term workaround is set your 'video 1' volume level at the setting you want the main volume to be 

[mike boss]

If I install this over my old build are all my settings lost ?

Not if you only copy the .exe files

I would make a backup of your existing MaLa directory to be safe.

I am thinking of putting the next release of MaLa in an installer if that helps?

Forgive me as my PC skills are lacking.
So I unzip the contents of the folder, only move the EXE files over, click them to install and the new features/bux fixes will take effect/be usable ?

[loadman]

If I install this over my old build are all my settings lost ?

Not if you only copy the .exe files

I would make a backup of your existing MaLa directory to be safe.

I am thinking of putting the next release of MaLa in an installer if that helps?

Forgive me as my PC skills are lacking.
So I unzip the contents of the folder, only move the EXE files over, click them to install and the new features/bux fixes will take effect/be usable ?

Pretty much